20% of the population in Scotland have asthma
- Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the lungs. It causes swelling and narrowing of small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs causing shortness of breath, cough or wheeze.
- Asthma is common affecting 20% of the population in Scotland with over 5 million people in the UK requiring treatment for asthma.
- There is no cure for asthma but the symptoms can be well controlled with treatment and avoiding irritants (triggers) that make it worse.